National College Attainment Network

What does it take for every student to say: “I know who I am, I know where I’m going, and I know who can help me get there”?

A new report from the Commission on Purposeful Pathways lays out a vision for helping all students graduate high school with purpose, belonging, social capital, and momentum toward economic mobility.

The report’s recommendations, including expanding access to high-quality advising, career-connected learning, and accelerated coursework, will resonate with many NCAN members already working to strengthen postsecondary pathways for students every day.

NCAN takes a closer look at the report, its recommendations, and what it could mean for systems change in postsecondary advising and student success at the link in the comments.

New -related legislation in Virginia and Kentucky highlights how states are continuing to prioritize FAFSA completion, even without implementing traditional universal FAFSA policies.

Rather than requiring every student to complete the FAFSA or formally opt out, these new approaches focus on increasing awareness, setting completion goals, and building accountability around financial aid access.

As states continue exploring different strategies to support postsecondary enrollment and affordability, one thing remains clear: FAFSA completion matters.

Read NCAN’s latest analysis on what these new laws could mean for the future of FAFSA policy and student success at the link in the comments.

ICYMI 👀 A new Texas study tracking nearly 1 million students found that postsecondary education delivers strong long-term earnings gains for most students - especially those earning bachelor’s and associate degrees.

The findings reinforce the value of higher education while underscoring the importance of program choice and student support.

Read more at the link below.

Even in a challenging job market, the value of a college degree remains clear.

Recent graduates with bachelor’s degrees continue to see stronger employment outcomes than their peers without one - a reminder that postsecondary education is still one of the most reliable pathways to economic opportunity and mobility.

Read more at the link in the comments.

Even in a challenging entry-level job market, the value of a college degree remains clear. Recent bachelor’s degree holders continue to see strong employment outcomes compared to peers without a degree.

Higher education opens doors to opportunity, economic mobility, and long-term career success - which is why protecting college access and affordability matters. Read more at the link in the comments.

State funding for higher education is a vital stream of revenue that helps make college possible for students. But how does state funding actually work - and why does it matter so much for college affordability and student success?

The Education Trust and HCM Strategists break it down in this helpful Higher Ed Funding 101 video overview. 🎥⬇️

Financing Futures 101: A Primer on How States Fund Higher Education A public policy primer video about how higher ed funding typically ...